NBA: Top 7 dream 1-on-1 Matchups 

#7 Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant vs Michael Jordan

If there's one matchup we would gladly (almost desperately) empty our banks to see, it's this one. It's the teacher vs the student. It's the original vs the re-mix. It's the same beast, different bodies. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are the two players who dominated the "isolation 1-on-1" game. Everything Michael did, Kobe studied and replicated; and then some. They share the same assassin mentality, being two of the most competitively cut-throat players to ever lace them up. Be it playing with sickness or with broken fingers, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were impervious to pain and any obstacles that stood in their way.

Michael Jordan (MJ) went on to win 6 NBA Championships to Kobe's 5. They both did it playing the triangle offense, under the same coach (Phil Jackson). And they both did it in spectacular style. Not just the style of play, so enamored was Kobe by MJ, that he even adopted some of MJ's mannerisms. While most consider MJ to be the greatest player of all time, Kobe's isn't far behind.

The athletic high-flying Jordan made his first prominent mark in the basketball world by nailing this clutch shot to lead his college team (North Carolina Tar Heels) to the NCAA championship. And since then, there was no stopping Michael. Michael and the Bulls achieved their first "3-peat" (winning 3 championships in a row) between '90-'93. Which was followed by a year of Baseball. Which was followed by another "3-peat" ('95-'98). Jordan was the finals MVP for all six of those championships. And in that period, the Bulls never went to a game 7 in an NBA finals.

While MJ relied more on his athletic ability during the first half of his career, he developed a deadly mid-range game in the latter half to cope with his aging body. No matter what the situation, MJ overcame adversity and challenges to come out on top. But despite all his skill, the things that set Michael apart from his competition were his creativity and ruthless competitive drive. G.O.A.T.

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If there's someone that matches MJ's ruthless competitive drive step by step, it's the "Black Mamba", Kobe Bryant. Kobe came into the league right out of high-school, thanks to a legendary, now almost mythical pre-draft workout. He had to spend some time on the bench during his initial seasons but soon after drafting Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe and Shaq would lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 3-peat ('00-'02). A fallout between the two led to Shaq being traded but Kobe subsequently led Lakers to two more championships ('09-'10). In between those two championship runs was a phase where due to lack of options, Kobe had to carry all the offensive load. Which, led to this:

Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in '06. 81 points (2nd most points in an NBA game behind Wilt's 100). The range and difficulty of shots make it an even more impressive feat than Wilt's 100. Here's a mind-boggling stat of Prime-Kobe: In the '06-'07 season, Kobe had ten 50+ points games (4 of which were consecutive). So legendary was Kobe's career, that the Lakers recently retired BOTH of his jerseys (8,24); something that had never been done before. G.O.A.T#2

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So then, between the master and the teacher, which one gets the nod in a series of 1-on-1? Michael Jordan says if there's anyone who could beat him in a 1-on-1 it's Kobe. Kobe says if there's anyone who could beat him 1-on-1, it's Jordan. Talk about mutual respect. And some jibes.

Jordan and Kobe were both formidable defenders in their prime. Kobe is a career 12-time All-Defensive selection, while Jordan is a 9-time All-Defensive selection, along with a Defensive Player of the Year award in '98. With that said, MJ was a better 1-on-1 defender in his prime than Kobe.

While Jordan had an impeccable mid-range fadeaway, so did Kobe, and then some. Kobe's range was unlimited and the game made him a better shooter than Jordan. But Jordan was better at getting to the hoop. Both had excellent body control, but while Kobe would take (and make) shots from any range, Michael preferred to get closer to the rim.

While the difference in their skill is none, their game was different due to their physical capabilities. Jordan had a broader frame and a stronger body, while Kobe had a more slithery-flexible frame. And if there's one thing Jordan can take advantage of, it's his body strength by taking Kobe down in the post, but then Kobe has that thing, of making impossible shots.

It doesn't get any better than this.

Toss a coin, again. It's two "complete players" going at it. While both have some things they are slightly better at than the other, the one thing that they have in equal amounts (and more than everyone else) is their killer-will. And in a series of 1-on-1, well it's impossible to pick one. They discuss this matchup more than we do, probably.

Verdict: Fans. The fans of the game are the real winners in this.

"Yo MJ, they are saying LeBron is better than me!" "They're idiots, Kobe."